I do not see any comparison.
The govt holds a gun to our head (income tax evasion) if we do not pay into social security, so why shouldn't we collect it when we retire?
I was forced to pay FAR MORE into SS/Medicare than I will ever get back. Ever.
If I had been allowed to opt out of it I would have chosen to, but alas that choice was not available to me.
Also, and this is just a general observation, not directing it to anyone in particular, the assumption that people who disagree with certain ideas were "brainwashed" by FOX News, or are part of a "MAGA Cult" is beyond ridiculous. Is it really that hard to believe that people can examine issues on their own and come up with a decision because certain policies best suit their individual lives and their families (if they have one)?
When I said, 'here,' I meant in America (USA), not the forum. Just in the event that wasn't clear..
As for comparison's I don't think there is one to make.. It's a social program. Based on the election results I think it's fair to say a lot of people who voted the way they did, both watch Fox News (which has espoused McCarthyism), and also collect benefits.
I've admired some Libertarian thinking, myself. Personally I tend to like a mix of Libertarian and Socialist ideas. The problem is, that, any political idea is different than the practice: A libertarian utopia, if not lived in by decent human beings, would just result in monopolies and anarchy. And on the reverse side, socialism/communism, can get really, really ugly too. But each idea, if nurtured and cooperated upon by... well rounded agreeable people? Really stands a chance to work out quite well. But that's another topic.
Yeah, I don't think it really necessarily helps to call anyone brainwashed. Probably not a nice thing to say. It's a subjective argument.
As for people being able to make informed decisions? Fox news radio over here today, just about 4 hours ago, said that Joe Rogan predicted the California Fires going on right now. He didn't. He said he heard from a firefighter in California that, in his (the firefighter's) opinion, was that something like this was bound to happen. Truth is the exception to the rule. I personally, have seen misinformation like this (or perhaps disinformation), quite often. When I mention things like this to the people in my life, they just dismiss me..
And even aside from all that, there is just so much information... I think one singe person, at the least, would struggle to really make sense of all of it, not to speak of groups of people.
I mean really, think about it... Fox News is a huge, huge, huge corporation. Are they really looking out for the little guy? Or are they trying to make a profit?
Now, it's possible, that, in trying to make a profit, their selfish interest might align with the interests of American workers, I'll conceede that. If I know some one who is a millionare, and they are trying to do something to make more millions, and I can help them in some way, I stand a chance of being in the graces of a millionare, who
might be willign to share some of that success with me. I don't think that is always the case, however.
on this so called company if they don't resolve this situation. Best Buy needs to do better at who they allow to sell on their marketplace.
